Five years ago, Sports Illustrated first set out to find the 50 top-earning American athletes (taking into account on- and off-the-field income). We discovered a few basic facts, and as the Fortunate 50 turns five, some things have remained dead-on consistent:

No one can touch Tiger Woods, the runaway No. 1 for the fifth year in a row. Tiger's near $128 million haul is more than double his closest pursuer, Phil Mickelson at $62.4 million. As usual, hoops dominates the 50: More than half this year's list is made up of NBA players. There are 10 baseball players, seven football players, three NASCAR drivers, three golfers and one boxer -- and yet zero women.

Meanwhile, our International 20 list has seen a huge bump in average paycheck, thanks to the weak American dollar: 12 of the athletes earn their bread in foreign currencies from leagues outside the U.S. In the futures department, we tab the likes of Danica Patrick, Chris Paul and Joba Chamberlain to someday soon make the 50 in our Future Fortunates photo gallery.

As always, we limited our estimates to salary, winnings, bonuses, endorsements and appearances. Candidates for the 50 had to be American citizens. For an in-depth analysis of who's on the fifth annual Fortunate 50 and why, click here.

I would say he's somewhat overrated in the sense that he's wussed out on several potential opponents like Cotto & Margorito to name a few & possibly for the DLH rematch & Manny rumors as well.

He says that he's the best pound for pound boxer in the world and that he can beat anybody, well prove it. Quit backing down. If you're competitive, you do it more for the competition than the money, for personal pride.

I would say he's somewhat overrated in the sense that he's wussed out on several potential opponents like Cotto & Margorito to name a few & possibly for the DLH rematch & Manny rumors as well.

He says that he's the best pound for pound boxer in the world and that he can beat anybody, well prove it. Quit backing down. If you're competitive, you do it more for the competition than the money, for personal pride.

would you consider Manny overrated because he hasnt fought guzman, soto, or edwin valero? of course you wouldn't..you might call him a vagina but it doesn't take anything away from his accomplishments...overrated IMO is someone that has NOT done anything

QUOTE ("Jerry Buss")

One of the biggest reasons I bought the Lakers was to beat the Celtics …..you just got it into your soul that you couldn't stand the Celtics anymore